Hurt/Comfort Meme

[my_belfry_of_fun]

Hurt/Comfort - Hurt/comfort is a fan fiction genre that involves the physical pain or emotional distress of one character, who is cared for by another character. The injury, sickness or other kind of hurt allows an exploration of the characters and their relationship.

- Post with Character Name | Series in the subject.
- Others respond.
- Roll 1-10 at RNG for a scene, play it out and have fun!

1. INJURY. You've been injured. Broken bones or bleeding out or maybe just a tiny little papercut. The choice is yours.
2. SICKNESS. You're sick and laid up in bed, at home or in a hospital. The severity is up to you.
3. FEAR/ANXIETY. Something is happening and you're scared beyond belief.
4. LOSS OF SENSES. Sight, touch, taste, hearing, smell, etc. You've lost some important sense or ability and now you're left to deal with it.
5. DESPAIR. Nothing is good or right anymore and you can't shake the depression. Maybe that friend of yours can help though...
6. BREAKUP. You've been dumped. You need someone to comfort you, possibly by the one who dumped you.
7. MAKE UP. Fight or break up, it's time to makeup.
8. RESCUED. You've just been held captive and/or tortured for however long and finally, someone has come to the rescue.
9. BAD ROMANCE. Fight, cheated on, abused, whatever the case is, someone else can clearly see you need comfort from someone who isn't your terrible lover tonight.
10. LOSS. You've experience a loss of some kind and need help getting through it.
11. INSANITY. You're seeing things that aren't really there, hearing voices, or you're just convinced you're at your wit's end finally and you're going to crack. Maybe someone can give you a helping hand.
12. TIRED. You've had a heard life recently and you're just worn too thin to really care anymore. There's no fight left in you anymore. Can someone help change your mind?
13. ADDICTION. Drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, or any other type of addiction has got you in its grasp. First time or relapse. Will someone be able to save you?
14. INSOMNIA. You can't sleep anymore, no matter how hard you try. Maybe someone can give you company.
15. NIGHTMARES. Or, on the other end of the spectrum, you can't sleep without gruesome, horrible nightmares. Either someone is stuck in your dream with you, witnessing it or they're just waking you up, soothing you out of it.
16. BLACKMAIL. You've been caught doing something you shouldn't and you were blackmailed because of it
17. SEPARATION. You're going to be separated for awhile or were separated for a long time. Either make up for lost time or try to spend every last moment together.
18. SINS. You're feeling the weight of your sins and guilt clearer than ever. Can someone give you absolution or lessen the ache any?
21. SECRET. It's difficult having to keep that secret of yours, be it a relationship or something you just don't want to share with anybody else. Maybe it's okay to talk about it now though...

Comments

[bloodypast]

A pivot of his position, studying her again. He had meant to try and show his concern, the seriousness that she needed to rest, not to make her withdraw. "I considered the Observatory, as well as other places." No surprise there.

"But decided they would not be suitable. Not that my answer is the best either..." Things were still strained at times between them, and between he and Yuffie regarding her. "I cook though, and my house is empty for the next several hours, aside from a moogle or two."

Enough to let her rest and recover a bit.

[toomanymistakes]

"Which is...?" she'd began, curiosity getting the better of her. If it was something that seemed only slightly better than the alternatives, she'd wondered what the one that seemed the lesser of evils-

Oh. Oh, that would definitely be awkward and caused her to raise an eyebrow. Tired as she was and much as she didn't mind Vincent's cooking, she couldn't help but be worried. "Are you sure? What if Yuffie returns early?" She knew how much the young princess disliked her even speaking with Vincent, let alone existing in the same city.

[bloodypast]

Vincent's eyes narrowed only slightly. Not at Lucrecia, and hopefully she'd know him well enough. Yuffie would simply have to deal, and he would take care of it.

Confirming, a step towards her, arm out such that she could lace her arm through it if she wished. If not, it was still easy enough to place it in a suit-pocket casually. "We're not far, and Ophelia will be there. Mooshoo, if he is around, is more mature than his Hero as well." Mooshoo would likely understand Vincent's reasoning, and at least keep things polite even if he didn't like the situation.

[toomanymistakes]

That small glare not directed at her in particular was enough of an answer for her. Without much hesitation, she closed the distance and interlaced her arm with Vincent's. "If you're sure," she relented, perhaps she was leaning into him a little too much than she should. But after that show of concern, her reserves of damns were depleted. If nothing else and she awoke to their arguing, she could just sneak out. Or rather, try two. Silly ninja jobs.

[bloodypast]

It was subtle, a relaxing of his shoulders that didn't affect his posture, but spoke of the tension he'd held. Relaxing when she didn't protest or fight him on it, automatically adjusting his pace. Walking, ignoring the deja-vu--there had been so much deja-vu at different points since her arrival.

The sky indicated late afternoon, from the position of the sun and there was damp in the air that smelled of oncoming rains. It was a bit longer to do so, but Vincent had taken routes that moved him through the 8th District from the 3rd, housing the school and university. Fewer of the Heroes were students, so it meant they were less likely to be spotted. A-O2 was right on the border with the 8th district, on the 14th's side, and Vincent had mentally scanned over his neighbors, who'd be likely to be around, and so on.

Not the best option maybe, but certainly the best of the ones prevented to him as they walked. Peaceful and quiet--didn't mean the ex-Turk wasn't alert. But he was a quiet person by nature and while a myriad thoughts ran in his brain, the priority was the 'mission'.

Not long at all before they were coming upon the residential district and walking past the slightly larger B-style house to A-O2.

[toomanymistakes]

For much of the walk Lucrecia remained silent. She didn't fully pay attention where they were going aside from not bumping into something, or not to trip in her heels. Relying on Vincent to know where they were going was just so easy to do, having trusted him with so much more in the past. Even after...

In a brief moment of clarity, she glanced at Vincent's left hand as they walked. It had been the arm that had decayed most, and in the few months of being reunited with him she'd noticed his not using it for things that required more dexrous movements. Realizing that, maybe, he'd given up the more familiar way of defense. Not that he likely needed it right now, but it did not go missed.

"...sorry," she breathed under her breath sleepily. Both for being a burden, and for something she still had yet to say.

[bloodypast]

"Hmm?" The noise and raised brow met her soft query. Both had more than enough guilt in their souls--it could be anything. Unlooping his arm only to unlock the door, Vincent enjoyed a brief moment of startled irony.

Keeping it to himself however--now he knew what Yuffie felt like, yelling at him to stop apologizing all the time.

Stepping in, ushering Lucrecia with him, it wasn't long until a white furry blur zipped to the pair, red-scarf and pom waving with the speed. "Welcome home kupooooOh!" A blink, Ophelia clasping her hands in her scarf in mild surprise. She wasn't any less welcoming however, taking in the bags under Lucrecia's eyes.

Fluttering closer to take a look, then up to Vincent, moving with them as he led them to the living room. "I'll go get tea started kupo. Anything else?" Hovering, and Vincent shook his head. "Tea will be fine for now, Ophelia thank you. Dr. Crescent pulled an all-nighter."

Ophelia pouted, and fluttered back over to cross her arms in front of the scientist. "You know better kupo!" Protective, as she liked the other hero--even with all the complications this had brought. "Mooshoo is upstairs, I'll give him a warning to delay Yuffie too if that'd help?"

Crimson eyes blinked, before Vincent nodded. "That would be appreciated, but only if he wants." After all, Reno crashed on their couch often enough. Lucrecia could do the same as far as he was concerned.

[toomanymistakes]

Letting him go, she waved with her now-free hand to Ophelia. "Hello, Ophelia. Sorry for the surprise visit," she replied with a smile, before giving Vincent a look when he wasn't looking. Did he really have to inform her of the overnighter. "I'm afraid even after all this time to adjust, insomnia does not simply disappear."

Nor nightmares, but she wasn't about to explain that so soon. Nor the subject of said repeated nightmares. At the very least, she'd hoped that she would be able to use her sleepless nights to be productive. Yet here she was.
She sat herself down on the couch once they reached the living room, albeit a little awkward over all this fuss.

[bloodypast]

Oh but Ophelia caught that look and wanted to sigh at the pair of them. Best also that neither Hero knew that she and Mooshoo had discussed the situation themselves a few times. Not least of which because of the conflict it had created between Yuffie and Vincent. The moogles were duty bound to be good companions to their heroes, and would've done so even if they were not both very fond of their Heroes.

"Weeeellll" Drawing it out, the little moogle was still giving her a pout. "Good thing you're in the right place then kupo. The people in this house are used to insomnia, so we moogles are used to dealing with it kupo!" Determined, and moving to pull the blanket down from the couch into Lucrecia's reach before she flitted off to the kitchen.

She didn't know the scientist-hero well, not yet. They had talked, and she most certainly liked the older woman from what she could see. Clear enough she carried guilt and was trying to atone--not unlike Ophelia's own hero, even before he'd confessed the bare story of just whom she was to the rest of them from Gaia. Yeesh what a mess--it was almost like one of Ophelia's stories from her books.

While his companion moved to start water, Vincent was mentally cataloging what would be quick but filling. Moving to the armchair that was his usual spot, before addressing her. "You wanted to talk?"

[toomanymistakes]

As Ophelia left the room, she nodded. Of course she had, but left alone in a room with him... Perhaps it was time she were completely honest with him.

"...I fear I'm nearing my limit," she admitted, voice low so Ophelia would hopefully not overhear. The very faint glow in her eyes faded as she stared at her hands, she felt it best to start from the beginning. "When we were summoned, I thought that the visions would stop. The constant pain had, as though some part of what Kalki had done to call us here had caused the cells to go into remission." Something that until recently she had been grateful for. At last, she could finally die like anyone else.

"When Heroes who were summoned with colored crystals reach their mortal limits, they turn to Crystal. But when those of us without color in ours reach the brink, there is no coming back. We die, and no manner of magic can revive them." She let that statement sink in as she bowed her head. "When Kalki told us that we were to defend the others who had turned to Crystal, I hoped that would be how it ended; that it would be my atonement for what I had done - to you, to my son... Yet when Palitutu attacked, another took the killing blow as he shoved me through the portal. His face has haunted me every time I close my eyes. His, so many others..."

When she looked up to face the one she'd hurt the most, a few tears were fighting to fall down her cheeks. "And yours, Vincent."

[bloodypast]

A thousand different thoughts raced through his head. Anger and disbelief--it couldn't turn out this way, could it? A stab of fear and pain, at the idea of losing her again. Cynicism and disgust, worry, confusion--too many emotions interconnected to make sense of any one easily.

Staring back at her for a moment, mouth open slightly but no sound coming out. Vincent understood her, all too well---he'd found some reason to at least feign living again in dealing with Hojo, and then in his decision to help deal with the horror Sephiroth had become. Then he'd been pulled to Crystallis, and for all the similarities and pain and anguish here--part of him had started to live again too.

Unmoving, save for his breathing and crimson-eyes blinked at her--emotions flickering too fast across them to be understood before they were tamped down behind a wall. Waging an inner battle with himself, before getting to his feet once more. Quiet foot falls, measured pace, then kneeling to be more on her level. Reaching out and gently wiping those tears, eyes closing. Gathering courage or composure maybe, later on he wouldn't be able to tell.

"...is my face that hideous?" Low, warmth and understanding in his tone. One epiphany had struck him most with her words. She was suffering, punishing herself--and he still only wanted her happiness.

[toomanymistakes]

For as much as she'd done, until that day she awoke in Aqures Tosf she had no reason to live. She had failed; as a mother, as a friend. Until the day she was shoved into the portal to the research facility, she had no reason to keep pushing herself towards the next day and the day after that. At the facility, she'd finally been of use to the others. Could help them uncover data on this world and what Kalki and her fellow researchers had discovered. Her experience as a scientist had paid off. But now, if felt as though even that feeling of usefulness had crumbled away.

Yet feeling the warmth of Vincent's hand against her cheek, hearing the understanding in his voice, she knew she'd $@&$ed up. "You misunderstand." Her voice was quiet, a small pained smile crossing her lips as she reached up to rest her hand on his own. For all his stoic facade, she could see it in his face that she'd done the opposite of what she ever wanted to do again. "You're as handsome now as you were the day we first met."

Give me a reason to keep moving, she wanted to say. Please stop me from doing something we'll both regret, she thought. Yet instead she asked, "Tell me, Vincent: What do you know about Chaos?"

[bloodypast]

Enough to recognize a change of subject. It hurt but he was no stranger to pain like this. If anything it stung more because he almost hoped this wasn't a change of subject but was relevant. Hope was such a cruel thing...

Keeping his eyes closed--Vincent couldn't keep his emotions from showing like this, so better to keep them closed. "It's difficult to explain, as much of it is tied with the crystals here interfering." Low, keeping his right hand against her cheek and reveling in the feel of her own warm touch over it. "I can call upon him here, in times of great stress--but I am not in control."

Pausing between his words, left hand moving up. Practiced, although it had been years, as his head turned enough. Teeth and mouth being used to undo and pull off the leather glove. Tossing it aside, and fingers covered by a lattice of fine scars reached up to brush her other cheek too. "Rage, anger...but enough that I can control him from striking out against allies. Until the battle is done, or I am unconscious, he remains in control once called."

[toomanymistakes]

"'Soul wrought of terra corrupt. A quelling impurity cleansing the stream, to beckon forth an ultimate fate. Behold mighty Chaos, Omega's squire to the lofty heavens.' ...It was passage from the Chronicles of Yore, one of the texts written by the Ancients that your father and I were researching when he..."

Her voice caught for a moment, before she closed her eyes. The feeling of those scars so close to her, knowing what it had been to stop him from losing that hand altogether. He had the right to know. "When I walked into Hojo's lab and saw you lying there, I couldn't... I couldn't lose you too to his madness," she admitted, as hard as it was to do so. "He'd labeled you a failed experiment, and was going to have your body disposed of. So I hid you in one of the medic pods in my lab, did everything possible to ensure you survived..."

Including infusing him with the self-same essence that would one day bring about the end of their planet. Not exactly her best move, but one made out of desperation. "Having seen him in combat, it's only right you should know why you have his power... is because he lives inside you."

[bloodypast]

Good thing his eyes were closed, or perhaps it made things worse; visions--things he'd assumed for years were his imagination tormenting him replayed in his mind. Hojo, Lucrecia--distorted through liquid and feelings of pain, agony before passing out again, words mere sound, not anything comprehensive.

Part of his heart--small and scarred and bitter an organ it was--was proud of her. Proud of himself, as they were finally talking. Just as when they'd talked when she'd first arrived, tiny steps towards healing and closure. Silence was always Vincent's friend, his natural nature.

That he was quiet while she spoke, and he listened, and turned it all over in his mind. Teasing out angles and nuances, letting it make sense. "You saved my life..." When he hadn't been able to do the same--and yet he'd suffered even still. Further, it sounded as if he was doomed to end the world, as much as the maddened and delusional creature who had been her son at one point was attempting.

A wealth of emotions as he'd spoken heard in the low voice. Gratitude, horror, pain and confusion and sorrow. Fingers gentle and strong against her cheeks, stroking carefully.

"We need to find a way to stop this cycle." Muttered half to himself, not aware he'd spoken it until it was out. Then crimson-eyes opened, studying her as he held her face in his hands. "Thank you. For telling me. Whatever else..." Pausing, fumbling for words. "I have survived. Because of you." Another deep breath in. "We have to stop this cycle of pain though, Lucrecia..." Almost pleading, voice whisper quiet and her name said intimately.

[toomanymistakes]

For a moment, she almost felt that his silence was damning. Yet when he spoke, her tired eyes opened wide, trying so hard to read the smallest nuances in his expression. Yet when that failed due to the tears of joy and pain, she nodded.

"If there is anything I can do, my research can probably give more answers." It was the least she could offer, for both the gift and curse she'd given him. Of this, she was certain - hopeful, for the first time in decades. "We will end this cycle," she replied as her right hand found his left cheek, trying to reassure him as best she could. She would not push him away, would not lie nor omit if she could help it. She smiled genuinely, intimately amending herself in a voice not above a whisper. "We will, Vincent."

[bloodypast]

Her smile still lit up her face, made her more like an angel forced to fall with all the pain it brought. "Not just that cycle, but us." Slightly breathless, leaning into her touch with a tilt of his head, crimson-eyes baring his soul to her. "All I ever wanted is for you to be happy, you know that right?"

[toomanymistakes]

For a moment, the confusion was clear in her brown eyes. Yet as she looked into his more deeply, an understanding was made. "I do, and I am happy. Because you survived." Even though she could not, not on Gaia. Rubbing his cheek with her thumb, she added: "You deserved so much better than what I could give in my guilt, but that day I realized what--and, more importantly, who--mattered most to me. It was you."

Please let me make this right.

[bloodypast]

That she was happy, was all he wanted, bringing the barest of smiles to his mouth. Then she was continuing, and it took him a moment to process the words. His hearbeat was too loud in his ears, seeming almost to have sped up.

Yuffie, is going to have a heart-attack. And I don't care. The thought in his brain almost made him laugh, almost. As always, she had his attention more than anything else, aside from her safety. "We both need to live. In the present." Still that smile, left hand moving to brush her hair back.

Starting to lean forward, then pausing. A moment, before there was no more hesitation. Head tilting, mouth seeking her own and giving her more than enough time to pull away, to let him know she did not want this. Then lips met lips, a soft breath against her mouth, touch still gentle, but firm.

[toomanymistakes]

"Of course." That was something she could agree on. The hesitation maybe not so much, but she would try to focus on the here and now. Especially when he was being so thoroughly distracting, though if he thought for a moment she would pull away instead, he would be in for a surprise. When he hesitated, she made the initiative and for that moment it felt like her heart skipped a beat yet was far too loud. Were it not for the more analytical parts of her mind she'd fear someone else was hearing it too, even as her exhaustion that seemed to melt away in the moment.

To feel his lips against hers once more, and to be by his side always. That's what she'd wanted this entire time.

[bloodypast]

She was always distracting--always had been for him. Full attention, left hand sliding around to cup the back of her neck so softly. Holding her there, breathing her in and part of him wondering if he'd finally gone mad.

If he had, he never wanted to recover. It was amazing to him, feeling and hearing his heart skip, blood rushing in his ears in joy. Amazing also that he heard the click of a doorknob turning, as focused as Vincent was and finally at some form of peace.

It was a disruption--and his reflexes hadn't suffered at all. The click of the door, and his hand left her cheek and her warm touch. Sliding easily down to draw pistol from its spot at his hip. Not even looking as the door creaked and time seemed to slow.

Barrel aimed unerringly at the entry way to the living room right as a voice called out "Heeelloo?" and a lanky framed turk with flame-red hair stepped in. Stopping short at the sight of the weapon aimed at him.

At the same time as Vincent had breathed against her mouth, an apology, then turned his head enough to see whom their intruder was.

"Holy shit!" Hands up defensively, body poised from one step to the next as Reno had frozen.

"Reno." Low voiced, crimson-eyes narrowing and clearly not happy to see the other Turk. Warning him, for more than just walking in unexpectedly. "Right...yeah..I'll..." A pause and Reno shifted his weight backwards, still with his hands up and aquamarine eyes wide. "Later. Right. Later..." Not hard at all for him to turn and flee.

Right before the door shut there was a white blur with red-trailing scarf that zipped by, Ophelia moving quickly to go intercept the other Turk and on damage control. Smart and brave moogle, who could move very quickly when she wanted. This, she absolutely wanted to move fast on--and Reno would regret it if he was going to spill this and ruin it before Vincent was ready for it to be known.

In any case, the moment was over although they remained still for another heartbeat. Then Vincent's gaze slid back to her own. Leaning in briefly to kiss her quickly, apologizing. For his pulling back a moment later, holstering his weapon and getting to his feet fully, free hand sliding around to brush her cheek and mouth once more. "Lucrecia..."

[toomanymistakes]

She was almost completely lost in the moment when she heard the soft click of the doorknob. An amazing feat, considering the pounding of her heartbeat being so loud that it nearly drowned it out. She didn't want to pull away just yet, but when she felt Vincent's hand leave her own, her free hand went for the large tome that rarely ever left her side when she was not in her room at the observatory. Even after three months of no longer living in caves (again) nor forests, the rather maternal instincts she'd built up in order to protect the younger Heroes began to kick in.

Only when she realized who it was and why Vincent's hand left hers did she slow herself down.

That apology went in one ear and out the other as she whispered a "don't" before pulling away, looking between Vincent and the other, unsuspecting Turk. No longer certain whether her book was raised because she was annoyed by the interruption, or to keep Vincent from doing something they'd both regret. However when Reno backed off and fled through the door, a part of her was relieved. She barely noticed Ophelia shoot after him; blessed companion that she was.

She kissed him back, however briefly, as she lowered the tome once more. Her heart still raced, mind still reeling from the mood whiplash far too fast for her sleep deprived state to handle. "Vincent," she began, hand reaching up to hold his hand there for just a moment longer. "You weren't going to, were you?" She asked, not certain if she had asked aloud or if it merely reflected in her tired eyes. She figured the answer would be a 'no'. Wanted to believe it were so, like she always had and still did. Yet her constant night terrors always had left her feeling on edge.

[bloodypast]

Thumb stroking along her skin, glad when she returned the warmth of her own touch over his. "If he were a threat, I would have." Which didn't mean the other Turk couldn't be a threat--simply that it was why there had been that second's pause of hesitation between drawing and verifying the target.

Tea was most certainly ready, provided he hadn't lost track of too much time. Even if he didn't remember seeing a blur zip past after Reno. Ophelia, and somehow he was not surprised. "Would you join me?" Since he still wanted to make sure she got a good meal, as well as some rest, before escorting her home.

[toomanymistakes]

If he were a threat... That was a good enough of an answer for her to relax again. Though judging by the bit of mischevious glint in her brown eyes, she was determined to push the doubt from her mind as quickly as possible. "A threat, huh?" She began, a playful grin crossing her lips. "And what would they call you, Mr. Valentine, for stealing a kiss from a tired old widow like myself?"

Though the moment the teasing words were out of her mouth, she had to fight in order to stifle back the laughter. "Of course; I'd be glad to."

[bloodypast]

The joke simply brought a noise of amusement from him, and the rare treat of his mouth quirking into a smirk. "I don't know, what would you call me?" Teasing back, of all things and pulling her to her feet.

Heading for the kitchen, and it was clear that Ophelia had been giving them space. Two cups of tea were clearly ready, on a tray to be carried out. There was a small table in the kitchen, given a lack of rooms beyond the basics in the house. Pulling out her chair, "I hadn't intended this to turn into a dinner date." Not that he minded at all.